U.S. War Military Intelligence Division (ed.). Company Officer's Handbook of the German Army

U.S. Military Intelligence Division Press, 1944. — 141 p.This is detailed practical handbook for U.S. Army's officers about German army and weaponry, German battlefield's tactic, infantry, tank units, aviation, artillery and etc. The Germans regard their self-propelled assault guns as decisive weapons which are employed particularly at the point of main effort. In cooperation with infantry, they facilitate the penetration and break-through with a; minimum of casualties. These weapons, the Germans believe, complement artillery fire by their ability to follow the infantry right up to an objective. Their use for small actions before an attack is forbidden so as not to betray their presence. Surprise is sought by bringing them into position by night and camouflaging their assembly area. Used primarily to neutralize enemy support weapons at short ranges over open sights, assault guns are employed in concentrations; to employ them singly or in comparatively small number is frowned upon by the Germans. German assault guns advance with or just behind the infantry. Usually German tanks do not operate independently, but are employed in combat teams in cooperation with infantry, field and antitank artillery, and engineers. In the operations of armored divisions, tank units and panzer grenadiers (armored infantry) are combined and fight as a unified force. In an infantry-tank attack the Germans transport the infantry into battle on tanks or in troop-carrying vehicles in order to protect the infantry and to increase its speed. The infantry leaves the vehicles at the last possible moment, and goes into action mainly with light automatic weapons.